Tinder Plus: why are older users being charged more?
Dating app Tinder comes under fire for 'sleazy' age-based fees as it unveils its much anticipated premium edition
Tinder launched its highly anticipated premium service this week, but has received a backlash from users over its age-based fees.
In the UK, Tinder Plus will costs users aged 18-27 just £3.99, but those aged 28 or over will be forced to pay £14.99 for the premium services.
A similar price advantage will be offered to younger users in the US, who can upgrade for just $9.99, compared to $19.99.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Tinder has defended the move, saying it was the result of extensive testing and pointed to other companies that offer differentiated price tiers by age, such as Spotify's offer for students.
"Younger users are just as excited about Tinder Plus, but are more budget constrained, and need a lower price to pull the trigger," said Rosette Pambakian, vice president of corporate communications at Tinder.
However, others disagree. "It seems more likely it's a way to get the [younger] demographic that Tinder wants on the service, and using price as a way to create a barrier to others," tech entrepreneur Paul Kedrosky told the BBC. "I just think it's – for want of a better word – sleazy."
The premium ad-free package will allow users to undo swipes, change their location and have unlimited likes.
The company says Rewind and Passport have been the two most requested features on the dating app. "If you accidentally swiped left on someone you wanted to get to know, they are no longer lost in the Tindersphere forever. Get them back with the touch of a button," said the company.
The passport function allows users to change their location to swipe, match and chat with people around the world.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Big Tech critic Brendan Carr is Trump's FCC pick
In the Spotlight The next FCC commissioner wants to end content moderation practices on social media sites
By David Faris Published
-
ATACMS, the long-range American missiles being fired by Ukraine
The Explainer President Joe Biden has authorized their use for the first time in the war
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The bacterial consequences of hurricanes
Under the radar Floodwaters are microbial hotbeds
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
How cybercriminals are hacking into the heart of the US economy
Speed Read Ransomware attacks have become a global epidemic, with more than $18.6bn paid in ransoms in 2020
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Language-learning apps speak the right lingo for UK subscribers
Speed Read Locked-down Brits turn to online lessons as a new hobby and way to upskill
By Mike Starling Published
-
Brexit-hobbled Britain ‘still tech powerhouse of Europe’
Speed Read New research shows that UK start-ups have won more funding than France and Germany combined over past year
By Mike Starling Published
-
Playing Cupid during Covid: Tinder reveals Britain’s top chat-up lines of the year
Speed Read Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Dominic Cummings among most talked-about celebs on the dating app
By Joe Evans Last updated
-
Brits sending one less email a day would cut carbon emissions by 16,000 tonnes
Speed Read UK research suggests unnecessary online chatter increases climate change
By Joe Evans Published
-
Reach for the Moon: Nokia and Nasa to build 4G lunar network
Speed Read Deal is part of the US space agency’s plan to establish human settlements on the lunar surface
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
iPhone 12 launch: what we learned from the Apple ‘Hi, Speed’ event
Speed Read Tech giant unveils new 5G smartphone line-up
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Russian agency behind US election meddling ‘created fake left-wing news site’
Speed Read Facebook says real reporters were hired by fake editors to write about US corruption
By Holden Frith Published